(Versailles, IN) – A non-profit business that provides intervention programs to domestic abusers was celebrated during a ribbon cutting Monday at the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce office.
Breaking The Cycle Indiana is a 501 (c) 4 that’s focused on providing batterers intervention programs in Ripley, Decatur, Dearborn, Ohio, Jefferson, Shelby, and Bartholomew counties.
Candice Lackman with Breaking The Cycle Indiana says the organization is raising funds so that the employees can go through the batterers intervention program with the Indiana Coalition for Domestic Violence so that services can be rendered throughout Southeastern Indiana.
“Services are generally court-ordered for the perpetrators of domestic violence in order to help them,” Lackman said. “There’s a big service gap in this area. The closest one is in Indianapolis at this time.”
Lackman says that fact adds to high recidivism among domestic violence offenders.
“Right now, the only way they can do that (receive the intervention) is virtual and it’s been proven that’s not as effective as in-person,” she said.
Lackman added it’s a struggle for some of the offenders to go through the process and dig deep into what they need to do through the batterers’ intervention program.
But she says it’s greatly needed in this area and would complement Safe Passage, Inc. and the services offered by the domestic and sexual violence shelter.
A list of ways to raise funds for Breaking The Cycle Indiana can be found on the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce’s social media.
